Excelsior Apartments for Rent

With its well-kept, historical houses and active community, Excelsior is a widely sought-after neighborhood. The area, which was originally part of a 4,446-acre Mexican land grant known as Rancho Rincon de las Salinas y Potrero Viejo, is now an ethnically diverse neighborhood surrounded by bustling city life. The community has been home to a variety of noteworthy residents, including the Grateful Dead band’s singer and guitarist, Jerry Garcia; Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame shortstop Joe Cronin; and former heavyweight contender Pat Valentino.

Home designs in Excelsior are diverse and include Edwardians built from 1910 through the 1920s, a variety of mid-century modern homes built in the 1940s, and Mediterranean-style houses built in the 1920s. Excelsior encompasses ZIP code 94112. The community is bounded by Interstate 280 on the north, Bayshore Freeway, and John McLaren Park on the east; Geneva Avenue and San Bruno Mountain State Park on the south; and Alemany Boulevard on the west. The majority of the neighborhood consists of single-family homes, although there are some commercial buildings, including restaurants, shops, and service establishments.

Of the many appealing aspects of Excelsior is the John McLaren Park, part of which sits in the eastern quadrant of the community. This is San Francisco’s second largest park after Golden Gate. It features the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in the Bernt’s Knoll portion of the park, as well as soccer and baseball fields, playgrounds, two lakes, a public pool, hiking and jogging trails, and the Gleneagles International Golf Course. To the south of Excelsior, just outside of the community’s boundaries, is the San Bruno Mountain State Park. This scenic park is dominated by San Bruno Mountain and provides visitors with hiking trails, views of the city and San Francisco Bay, and the rare opportunity to spot endangered wildlife, such as birds and butterflies.